Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Purchases 6,322 Shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT)

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its holdings in shares of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HLT - Free Report) by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 223,848 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 6,322 shares during the quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned approximately 0.09% of Hilton Worldwide worth $51,597,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in HLT. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the third quarter worth $25,000. EdgeRock Capital LLC bought a new stake in Hilton Worldwide in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Hilton Worldwide during the third quarter valued at about $38,000. NewSquare Capital LLC bought a new position in Hilton Worldwide during the second quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Hilton Worldwide in the second quarter worth about $38,000. 95.90% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on HLT shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $185.00 to $181.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 8th. TD Cowen reduced their price target on Hilton Worldwide from $265.00 to $256.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on Hilton Worldwide from $210.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Bank of America lifted their target price on Hilton Worldwide from $230.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Macquarie increased their price target on shares of Hilton Worldwide from $205.00 to $208.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hilton Worldwide currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $228.71.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Hilton Worldwide news, insider Laura Fuentes sold 4,919 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.00, for a total value of $1,067,423.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 15,949 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,460,933. The trade was a 23.57 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Michael W. Duffy sold 14,357 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $235.73, for a total transaction of $3,384,375.61. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 22,833 shares in the company, valued at $5,382,423.09. This represents a 38.60 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hilton Worldwide Price Performance

HLT stock traded up $0.54 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $249.58. 462,970 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,552,847. The stock has a market capitalization of $60.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.46, a PEG ratio of 3.13 and a beta of 1.30. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $234.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $219.13. Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. has a 12 month low of $165.25 and a 12 month high of $255.86.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 23rd. The company reported $1.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.85 by $0.07. Hilton Worldwide had a negative return on equity of 60.85% and a net margin of 10.70%. The company had revenue of $2.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.90 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.67 EPS. Hilton Worldwide's quarterly revenue was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. will post 7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hilton Worldwide Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 27th. Investors of record on Friday, November 15th will be given a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.24%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 15th. Hilton Worldwide's payout ratio is presently 12.88%.

Hilton Worldwide announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Thursday, November 14th that permits the company to repurchase $3.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy up to 5.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Hilton Worldwide Company Profile

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc, a hospitality company, engages in managing, franchising, owning, and leasing hotels and resorts. It operates through two segments, Management and Franchise, and Ownership. The company engages in the hotel management and licensing of its brands. It operates luxury hotels under the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, and Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand; lifestyle hotels under the Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Tempo by Hilton, and Motto by Hilton brand; full service hotels under the Signia by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and DoubleTree by Hilton brand; service hotels under the Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, and Tru by Hilton brand; all-suite hotels under the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, and Home2 Suites by Hilton brand; and economy hotel under the Spark by Hilton brand, as well as Hilton Grand Vacations.